Understanding Catholic Youth Ministry

1
Understanding Catholic Youth Ministry

• From a C.Y.O./C.C.D./Catholic Schools Only Model
  . . . to a Comprehensive Ministry with
  Adolescents and their Parents

2
From There to Here
Catholic Schools
C. Y. O.
C. C. D.
3
From There to Here
1960-70s

• Teen Clubs
• Youth Groups
• Nationally National CYO Federation
  (NCYOF)

4
From There to Here
1976

• A Vision of Youth Ministry
• Mission of the Church
• Road to Emmaus
• Dimensions

5
From There to Here
1976

• A Vision of Youth Ministry
• Two Goals
• Comprehensive Approach
• (seven components)

6
From There to Here
1982

• Cohesive national vision ? cohesive national
  structures to support youth ministry
• From the NCYOF and USCC Division of Youth
  Activities to . . .
• Birth of the National Federation for Catholic
  Youth Ministry (NFCYM)

7
From There to Here
1997

• Builds and expands upon
• A Vision of Youth Ministry (1976)
• Important distinction
• -1976 Dept of Ed. doc.
• -1997 Doc. of entire USCCB
• Emphasis on discipleship
• From 2 goals to 3
• From 7 components to 8

8
Renewing the VisionGoal One

• To empower young people to live as disciples of
  Jesus Christ in our world today.

9
Renewing the VisionGoal Two

• To draw young people to responsible participation
  in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic
  faith community.

10
Renewing the VisionGoal Three

• To foster the total personal and spiritual growth
  of each person.

11
Renewing the VisionComprehensive Ministry Themes

• Developmentally Appropriate
• Family Friendly
• Intergenerational
• Multicultural
• Community-Wide Collaboration
• Leadership
• Flexible/Adaptable Programming

12
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

13
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy
• Catechesis

14
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy
• Catechesis
• Community Life

15
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy
• Catechesis
• Community Life
• Evangelization

16
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy
• Catechesis
• Community Life
• Evangelization
• Justice and Service

17
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy
• Catechesis
• Community Life
• Evangelization
• Justice and Service
• Leadership Development

18
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy
• Catechesis
• Community Life
• Evangelization
• Justice and Service
• Leadership Development
• Pastoral Care

19
Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy
• Catechesis
• Community Life
• Evangelization
• Justice and Service
• Leadership Development
• Pastoral Care
• Prayer and Worship

20
Strategies for Youth-Friendly Parishes

• Ask Youth
• Interview youth (focus groups, via phone, written
  parish survey, electronic survey on website,
  etc.)
• Give Them a Voice (parish council, youth ministry
  leadership team, etc.)
• Welcome youth at all parish activities

21
Strategies for Youth-Friendly Parishes
Ask Youth Inform

• Parish Bulletin/Phone Calls
• Bulletin Board/Newsletter/Letters
• Website/E-mail/I-net
• Youth Space
• Liturgy
• Target both youth and their parents

22
Strategies for Youth-Friendly Parishes
Ask Youth Inform Liturgy

• Speak to their needs especially through homilies
  and prayers
• Blessings and commissioning
• Have youth speak at Mass
• Acknowledge youth presence in assembly and esp.
  as ministers (lectors, cantors, choir members,
  musicians, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality,
  etc.)
• Special prayers/liturgies

23
Strategies for Youth-Friendly Parishes
Ask Youth Inform Liturgy

• Transform
• Involve youth in ministries, train and support
  them
• Connect them with the adult church (consider
  intergenerational activities, prayer partners,
  etc.)
• Invest time and treasure in youth and the adults
  who serve young people

24
www.nfcym.org